President won't release Miers papers

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Washington: Amid increasing speculation that Harriet Miers will
withdraw her nomination for the US Supreme Court, President George
Bush has said he will not release documents concerning advice Ms
Miers gave him as his White House counsel.

He said this would constrain him and future presidents.

Both Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee
have asked Mr Bush to release the White House documents before the
committee's confirmation hearings for Ms Miers due to start in less
than two weeks.

Mr Bush, who praised Ms Miers after a cabinet meeting despite a
chorus of condemnation from leading conservative commentators,
refused to directly answer a question about whether he was
considering withdrawing her nomination.